Well I figured this Equinechitchat Forum thing out.. if you don't add mules-donkeys- training , you wide up on the EQUINE forum. So I left a message over there..for the Horse enthusiasts. OK, for those that do not know about the ADA National I will leave our site at the bottom of this note, or just put in (American DONKEY Association). But stop and think a minute, most all breeds have their Nationals, why shouldn't the Donkeys ? The ADA was formed out of a NEED to create a National and World Wide Association with a Rule Book for Showing Donkeys and a chance to register their Donkeys. As 4-H is going down the drain in some areas, now is a good time to start ADA YOUTH Programs with Donkeys. The 4-H Equine program was never a place for Donkeys anyway. When we contacted the U.S.Dept of...they said they would NOT write any more programs ,and no Longeared ones.
So ADA wants to see some Donkey Groups formed, and if the YOUTH have to it more the better.
We are retired and have the time to work with most every one who wants to promote DONKEYS. We work with our members, on training issues, etc.
Check out our site and our three membership package with a FREE Hand Book.
ADA CEO thedonkeyman from OREGON.
American Donkey Association, "helping to IMPROVE the STATUS of the DONKEYS"
American Donkey Association

I think this is very honorable what you are doing and trying to accomplish!

I personally dont own donkeys (or mules, although my horse nearly has ears just as long... lol) but I think they should absolutely be recognized nationally!

Best of luck to you and the donkeys!

Dear Chenay,
YES! THANK YOU, so much. I can see that you are an accomplished Horse person.
We had shown many breeds of Horses , for many years , then Mules and now Donkeys.
What we saw with mules was conformation problems, and it went right back to the parents. Selective breeding is what it is all about. To many people do to much back yard breeding with what ever is available, and no thought of the out come. This allways gives the breed a bad name.
There appears to be a slow response to our effort, to many chiefs and not enough indians, if you get my meaning. Are Clubs, Associations, and Groups a thing of the past ?
ADA CEO thedonkeyman from OREGON "helping to IMPROVE the STATUS of the DONKEYS" AmericanDonkeyAssociation

Hey there!

Here, here about the breeding!! It is the same with horses, dogs, and probably everything else too, unfortunately!

If people realized that 98% of the studs that come out should be geldings, the world would have a lot better quality in all things.

Regarding the association thing... it has been a while since I have been involved in an assoication or regional club that was horse affiliated but I do still get the Journal and talk to some colleagues and in my experience it is not a thing of the past. In fact it is what APHA thrives on.

From my experience maybe this set up will help get rid of the chief problem.

One national association. With a President, Pres-Elect, VP, Sec, and Treas. voted on my the national body of members. A board of the directors (2 per state) that bring their respective states issues, concerns, ideas, etc. to the national committee

Each state has a regional club. If it is a big state like California or Texas there can be several regional clubs based on counties or large cities. The board should be set up with a Pres, Pres-Elect, VP, Sec, and Treas and a board of directors that the number is based on membership and is voted on by the general body of members.

Regional meetings once a month. National meetings twice a year.

Youth clubs are also helpful as they get parents involved and help make the assoication money.

If there is anything I can do to help please let me know. Good luck with this!